Photographer's Note

I apologise for the poor quality of this photo. It was taken many years ago on a disposable camera. But the photo itself means more to me than the quality does.

Today is ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand. It is the day we remember the men and women who gave their lives defending our countries. On this day we don't just remember World War I, but every war that Australia and New Zealand have been involved with dating from the Boer and Crimean Wars, to World Wars I and II, to the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and of course the most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also emphasises to me how our countries became involved in conflicts that were thousands of miles away and which have had nothing to do with us.

This place is The Nek, situated on the Gallipoli Peninsula and the scene of one of the most senseless and badly-planned battles of World War I. And that truly is saying something. Of the 600 Australian troops who participated in the battle, there were 372 casualties, of which 234 were killed. This happened in less than an hour, amid mass confusion, refusal by superior officers to call off the assault and the Australian troops being forced to charge without any ammunition in their rifles, only bayonets fixed.

Despite the senseless carnage, and the failure of the Gallipoli Campaign in military terms, Gallipoli became a watershed in the national identities of Australia and New Zealand.

Well scanned photo, Lisa - should not apologize, we know the "problem" with old paper photos. The sunject is more importent - and you conveyed this well.
Ausie's soldiers where sent far from home on many wars to fight, in Israel as well, deserve the owner given here.
Fine post, importent history enfolded.
Ike

You have written a very poignant note on Anzac Day and it is well to remember the awful Australian and New Zealand casualties and deaths from the dreadfully organised Gallipoli campaign which turned into utter mayhem in 1915.

But you must make no apology for your photograph. In many ways the high contrast of this scanned picture adds to the bleakness of the place which is what I think you are also trying to convey in your note. And, despite this having being taken several years ago, your compositional skills at that time were also excellent - as they still are.

Hi dear Lisa,
very beautiful composition of nature. Magnificent work and presentation of wild place with fantastic splendid colors, sharpness, clarity, great POV. Perfectly well done. Love it.
All the best,
Barbara

Hello Lisa,
it´s very important photo and the note to honor,but also to remember all these sad and tragic wars and battles.It´s just like wrote Ike,the subject of th ephoto here is much important than the quality.Although I have to say for a scanned image the quality is quite good(especially the colors remained bright and well-saturated).

Hi Lisa
I agree with John's comments 100%, the quality of the photo seems to coincide with the bleakness of the event, it just seems to fit somehow.
A very personal tale for you and your family, well documented.

Well I spent Anzac day in Turkey but at the wrong end of the country in the far east. Hopefully I will be able to visit this famous locale in the summer months here when school is out on vacation. Good sharpness and nice warm cold color contrasts between the blue & yellow. Tfs!

Hi Lisa
Tremendous tribute Lisa, Anzac Day ceremony was also remembered here in Singapore at the Cenotaph, The Kranji War Memorial three days ago. Nice to see Anzac day is still as strong as ever and tribute to those who fell.

"Lest We Forget For Those That Died Giving Us Their Tomorrow, So That We Could Have Our Today"

Hello Lisa.
This image is beautiful from your archive. The tone and details here are most likely registered on film. Amazing foreground contrast with excellent dynamic range in the composition. Lovely image but I am sorry about the historic event about this place and furthermore your relatives were involved in the battle. Sad notes and thanks for sharing.
Kind regards,
Jusni